LIBERTY, March 13, 2013 - On January 2, 2013, a burglary and theft were reported at the 3H-Howell Ranch in Liberty County. Dr. Jimmy Howell reported that his residence had been burglarized and his farm truck stolen along with electronic equipment, saddles, power tools and other assorted personal property items.

Special Ranger Jimmy Belt and Deputy Michelle Giaquinto of the Liberty County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene and began an immediate investigation. The following day, Sgt. Investigator Kenny Dagle joined the investigation by teaming up with Special Ranger Belt and the investigation expanded. The farm truck was located, abandoned, in the Moss Bluff area.

As the investigation continued, a "person of interest" by the name of Jacob Brandon Vest, 22 years old and a resident of the city of Liberty was developed and shortly thereafter a second individual , Kevin Deayne Brock the second, 26 years old and a resident of Hardin, Texas also became a suspect in this case. After the investigators began to recover many of the stolen items taken in this burglary as well as other burglary and theft cases and to connect both Vest and Brock to the stolen items, warrants were issued for the arrest of both suspects.

Jacob Brandon Vest

Kevin Deayne Brock

On January 18th, both men were arrested and charged with Burglary Of A Habitation, Burglary of a Building and Unauthorized Use Of A Motor Vehicle. In addition, Jacob Vest was also charged with two (2) misdemeanor cases. Both men made written statements to Sgt. Dagle and Ranger Belt where they admitted not only the burglary and theft at the Howell ranch but several other cases as well.

During the property recovery phase of this case, Sgt. Dagle and Ranger Belt recovered one hundred percent of all property stolen in the Howell burglary as well as many other items taken in other theft cases which can now be returned to their rightful owners.

Both Jacob Vest and Kevin Brock entered a plea of guilty before Judge Morefield in the 75th. District Court and each was sentenced to five (5) years probated sentence each on all three (3) felony charges. Jacob Vest is presently on bond for two (2) separate misdemeanor offenses.

During the course of this investigation, Sgt. Dagle and Special Ranger Belt recovered over $14,000 in stolen property from the Howell ranch case as well as other previously uncleared cases.